John Locke

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  • Created by: kmules15
  • Created on: 02-12-21 09:35
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  • John Locke
    • Key ideas
      • State, society and government are based on voluntary agreement/ contract
      • Government should be limited and based on consent from below
    • Who?
      • Leading philosopher of the Whig movement
      • Supporter of 'Glorious Revolution' in 1688
    • Two Treatises of Government (1690)
      • Argued that rulers and people must be subject to law
      • People would be like animals in a farmyard, no guarantee the farmer won't abuse them
    • Based philosophy on natural rights and natural laws
      • People are equal and must respect each other's rights
      • Government derives legitimacy from the people and should govern in accordance to natural rights
      • No god-given right to rule
    • Social contract
      • Society, state and govt are based on a theoretical, voluntary agreement
        • People should accept govt authority as long as they fulfil the contract
          • Government should protect property rights
        • Govt should exercise tolerance in religious matters
          • Shouldn't interfere in areas of the private conscience
        • If govt breaks contract and abuses natural rights, the people are entitled to resist/ overthrow
    • Philosophy based on reason
      • No rational person would submit to arbitrary will
        • Classical liberals- state should serve individual
      • Locke didnt believe in democracy or poltical equality in the modern sense
        • Writings unclear on gender equality and did not tolerate atheism
          • Emphasised civil society + basing authority on consent

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